Apparatus and method for remotely locking a container

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for remotely locking a container includes a vehicle having a main frame and a tipper frame hingedly connected to the main frame, at least one of the main frame and tipper frame being configured to receive and support a container thereon; an actuator assembly for pivoting the tipper frame relative the main frame between a reclined, container loading and transport position and an inclined, dumping position; a container configured for receipt, transport and dumping of material, including a box defining a rear opening, and having a door hingedly connected with the container box to swing between an open, material dumping position and a closed position covering and sealing shut the rear opening; at least one lock mechanism connected to at least one of the box and the door; a locking assembly connected to the container; and, an actuator assembly connected to the tipper frame and physically separate from the locking assembly, and when the container is juxtaposed atop the tipper frame said tipper frame is in the transport position, the actuator assembly is operable upon actuation to engage with and cause the locking assembly to engage with the at least one lock mechanism to pull the door tightly against the box and seal closed the opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application under 35 U.S.C. §121 ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/298,279, filed Jun. 6, 2014, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0284993, which is acontinuation application under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/950,141, filed Jul. 24, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,746,805,which issued on Jun. 10, 2014, which is a continuation application under35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/647,870, filedOct. 9, 2012, now abandoned, which is a continuation application under35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/709,231, filedFeb. 19, 2010, now abandoned, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/153,969, filedFeb. 19, 2009, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of transportable containers,and more specifically, to an apparatus and method for remotely lockingand unlocking a container adapted for transport upon one or morevehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bulk materials, hazardous waste materials and other such materials arefrequently transported to their destinations in very large wastehandling containers. It is important that the door, often a rear, onepiece door hingedly mounted at the top, maintain a fluid-tight sealagainst the container body to prevent the flowable materials fromescaping during transport. The door sealing mechanisms can be difficultto operate, and the vehicle driver may have to latch, unlatch or adjustthe door locking mechanisms in inclement weather. It is thereforedesirable to provide a door locking mechanism for such containers thatreduces the need for the driver to leave the vehicle cab, especiallyduring container dumping action.

Oftentimes, the above described containers are desired to be intermodal.That is, it is desired that they be capable of being transported by anumber of different vehicles, such as, for example, a truck, a train ora ship. The locking mechanism should accommodate all such forms oftransport.

What is desired is a waste and material hauling container having arear-mounted dump door with a remotely operable locking mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, a large material handling, intermodal container witha large, top, and hingedly mounted rear opening can be remotely lockedand unlocked by the driver without need for exiting the cab.

An apparatus for remotely locking a container includes a vehicle havinga main frame and a tipper frame hingedly connected to the main frame, atleast one of the main frame and tipper frame being configured to receiveand support a container thereon; an actuator assembly for pivoting thetipper frame relative the main frame between a reclined, containerloading and transport position and an inclined, dumping position; acontainer configured for receipt, transport and dumping of material,including a box defining a rear opening, and having a door hingedlyconnected with the container box to swing between an open, materialdumping position and a closed position covering and sealing shut therear opening; at least one lock mechanism connected to at least one ofthe box and the door; a locking assembly connected to the container;and, an actuator assembly connected to the tipper frame and physicallyseparate from the locking assembly, and when the container is juxtaposedatop the tipper frame and said tipper frame is in the transportposition, the actuator assembly is operable upon actuation to engagewith and cause the locking assembly to engage with the at least one lockmechanism to pull the door tightly against the box and seal closed theopening.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wasteand material handling container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a waste andmaterial handling, intermodal container with a rear-mounted dump doorand a remotely operable locking mechanism for such door. Further objectsand advantages of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side, elevational view of a container and vehiclecombination 10 with apparatus 11 for remotely locking and unlocking thecontainer door 12, in accordance with the present invention, and withelements removed from the vehicle 13 for clarity.

FIG. 2 is a fragmented plan view of the rear portion of vehicle 13 ofthe container and vehicle combination 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear, elevational view of container 14 of the container andvehicle combination 10 of FIG. 1 and shown in the locking position.

FIGS. 4-7 are side, cross-sectional views of the container 14 of FIG. 3taken along the line 4-4 and viewed in the direction of the arrows andshown mounted upon vehicle 13 with locking assembly 95 in various stagesof engagement with actuator assembly 33 and with certain parts removedor revealed for purposes of description.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the locking assembly 95 of the containerand vehicle 15 combination 10 of FIG. 1, and with one of the lockingassembly sets 117 removed for clarity.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the container 14 of the container and vehiclecombination 10 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated inthe drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itwill nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended, and alterations and modifications in theillustrated device, and further applications of the principles of theinvention as illustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occurto one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a container and vehicle combination10 with apparatus 11 for remotely locking and unlocking the containerdoor 12, in accordance with the present invention. Combination 10generally includes a vehicle 13 and a container 14, the container's dumpdoor 12 being rear-mounted, and the apparatus 11 being remotely operableto lock and unlock door 12 in fluid tight engagement with its container14.

The vehicle is a suitable container hoist having a main frame 17 and atipper frame 18 hingedly connected to main frame 17 at hinge 19.Suitable hydraulic cylinders (one shown at 20) connected between mainframe 17 and tipper frame 18 and with the hydraulic system of vehicle 13are operable to pivot tipper frame 18 between a reclined, containerloading and transport position 23 (FIGS. 4-7) and an inclined, dumpingposition 24 (FIG. 1), as is known. Vehicle 13 is configured to receiveand handle intermodal containers, that is, containers of a specific sizeand having corner blocks 25 at each of its eight corners to enable suchcontainer to be stacked for transport aboard other vessels, such astrains and ships. Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein thecontainer 14 is of other, non-intermodal configurations, and theapparatus 11 will nevertheless operate to remotely lock and unlock thecontainer aboard a properly equipped vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 2, vehicle 13 includes long rails 26 and 27, numeroustransverse cross-members, as at 28 and 29, extending between long rails26 and 27, bolsters (one shown at 30, FIG. 8) connected to the rear endsof and outwardly of long rails 26 and 27, and the actuator assembly 33of apparatus 11, as described herein. Container 14 is configured to beloaded upon vehicle 13, resting primarily upon long rails 26 and 27 andbolster 30, and with the locking assembly 95 of apparatus 11 (asdescribed herein) positioned directly above actuator assembly 33 foroperative engagement therewith.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, container 14 is a rectangular box containerwith a rear opening 34 and with its rear door 12 being hingedly mountedat the top edge thereof by hinges 35 to enable door 12 to swing open ofits own accord by gravity when the locks holding it are released andtipper frame 18 is pivoted to the inclined, dumping position 24, asshown in FIG. 1. Container 14 includes a seal 32 (FIG. 4) held aroundthe periphery of door opening 34, and door 12 includes a sealing ridge36 extending forwardly and into seal 32 when door 12 is drawn in to itsclosed position (FIG. 4). Container 14 is provided with both bottom andside lock mechanism 37, 38 and 39 (bottom) and 41 and 42 (side). Bottomlock mechanisms 37, 38 and 39 are mutually identical, and only lockmechanism 38 will be fully described. Likewise, side mechanisms 41 and42 are identical, albeit mirror images of each other, and only lockmechanism 41 will be fully described.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, side lock mechanism 41 includes an outwardlyextending door pull pin 46, a pull pin hook 47, a rocker link 48 and abar link 49. Door pull pin 46 is rigidly connected to and extendslaterally outwardly of door 12. At its rear, container 13 includes two,opposing vertical box tubing members 51 and 52, each of which defines anopening 54 and 55, respectively, through which freely extends acorresponding door pull pin hook 47 and 56, respectively. On opposingsides of tubing member 51 are mounted matching arrow plates 59 and 60,which together close off the sides of opening 54. Arrow plates 59 and 60define aligned holes for receiving a pin 61, about which is rotatablymounted triangular rocker link 48, as shown. Rocker link 48 has threetriangularly spaced mounting points, the second being at 62 where it isrotatably mounted to the forward end of door pull pin hook 47, and thethird being at 63 where it is rotatably mounted to the upper end of barlink 49. The lower end of bar link 49 is pivotally connected to outputpin 65 of locking assembly 95, as described herein. Up and down motionof bar link 49 moves pull pin hook 47 between a relaxed, unlockedposition 66 (FIG. 6) and a retracted, locked position 67 (FIG. 4)wherein the upturned hook 69 at the outer end of pull pin hook 47 hasmoved up, under door pun pin 46 and drawn door 12 tightly against itsseal 32.

At its bottom edge, door 12 is drawn and held closed by the three,identical lock mechanisms 37-39. Lock mechanism 38 includes anadjustable door tensioner assembly 74 and an adjustable hook 75 thatmoves between a lowered unlocked position 76 (FIGS. 6 and 7) and araised and retracted locking position 77 (FIG. 4). Tensioner assembly 74includes a locking plate 80, a set screw 81 and a locking nut 82.Locking plate 80 is hingedly connected to door 12 at hinge 84 (FIG. 7)and initially lays flat against the lower frame member 83 of door 12.When adjustable hook 75 is pulled and angled upwardly, its hook tab 85,rigidly secured to the upturned hook end of hook 75, bears againstlocking plate 80 and pulls the bottom of door 12 inwardly, against seal32. In the event adjustment is ever needed to draw door 12 or just oneportion of door 12 in tighter (for example, if the seal 32 wearsunevenly or door 12 becomes warped), locking nut 82 can be loosened, andset screw 81 tightened. That is, set screw 81 is threadedly advancedthrough a threaded hole in locking plate 80 until its forward, leadingend bears against the lower frame member 83 of door 12, which pivotslocking plate 80 about its hinge 84 and away from lower frame member 83.When hook 75 is pulled in (forwardly), it bears against a now morerearwardly extending locking plate 80, and door 12 is forced moretightly against its seal 32. Locking nut 82 is re-tightened after theadjustment is complete. Adjustable hook 75 is shaped as shown, andincludes an arcuate camming bump 88, whereat hook 75 rides upon a bumppin 89. The combination of the camming bump 88 on bump pin 89 and theboth curved and linear input to the forward end 90 of hook 75 providesan up and around lock engaging motion relative to tensioner assembly 74that provides plenty of clearance for door 12 to open and close andprovides a reliable and tight door locking action.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4-9, the apparatus 11 for remotely locking andunlocking the container door 12 generally includes actuator assembly 33and locking assembly 95. Actuator assembly 33 includes a push assembly96 and a driving mechanism 97 to move push assembly 96 between anextended position 98 (FIG. 6) and a retracted position 99 (FIG. 4). Pushassembly 96 includes a pair of generally U-shaped, spaced apart pushplates 103 and 104 that are connected together by a spanner plate 105(FIG. 2) and a support beam 106 (FIG. 6), both extending therebetween.Each push plate has a front and rear upstanding push arm 107 and 108(FIG. 5) configured to engage with a drive input rod (153 and 154) ofthe locking assembly 95. Front push arm 107 has a rearward engagementsurface 110 that slants up and rearwardly about 5 degrees. Rear push arm108 has a forward engagement surface 111 that slopes up and rearwardlyabout 5 degrees, but its top portion includes an initial lockingengagement surface 112 with a forward angle of about 30 degrees.Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein the rearward andforward engagement surface angles vary to between about 3 and 8 degreesrearwardly and the initial locking engagement surface angle variesbetween about 20 degrees and 40 degrees. The forward bending surfaceportion 112 is generally straight, as are the front and rear engagementsurfaces 110 and 112, but alternative embodiments are contemplatedwherein these surfaces have some degree of curvature. The initiallocking engagement surface 112 fosters a smooth initial engagement withthe main drive rods 153 and 154, as described, herein, since these rods153 and 154 may be rotated via their connector links 155-158 to near astate pointing almost directly to the rear. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, with hook 75 in the lowered unlocked position 76, the radialline 159 from the pivot axis of links 155-158 (that is, of main driveshaft 142) to their main drive rods 153, 154 forms an angle of about 27degrees below horizontal. In such configuration, with the force vector160 of forward engagement surface 111 slanting up about 5 degrees, thehorizontal movement of push plates 103 and 104, upon engagement withmain drive rods 153 and 154, could bind up. The force vector 161 offorward sloping surface 112 is about 30 downward, which works to avoidsuch undesirable resistance by converting the initial force vector fromabout 5 degrees above horizontal to about 30 degrees below horizontal,as shown.

Driving mechanism 97 is a hydraulic cylinder 182 anchored at its forwardend 183 to tipper frame 18, and its output rod 184 is mounted to thesupport beam 106 of push assembly 96. Appropriate guide structure andwear plates, as at 113 and 114 are provided to maintain push assembly 96in its intended path.

Referring to FIGS. 4-9, and particularly 8 and 9, locking assembly 95 iscontemplated to include one, two or more sets of components, each setconfigured and operable, upon engagement with actuator assembly 33, tomove its adjustable hook 75 between its lowered unlocked position 76(FIGS. 6 and 7) and its raised and retracted locking position 77 (FIG.4). As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, locking assembly 95 of the presentinvention has three hooks 75 and thus three, substantially identicallocking assembly sets 115, 116 and 117. Locking assembly set 117 isremoved from FIG. 8 for discussion of surrounding components. Becauselocking assembly sets 115, 116 and 117 are substantially identical, onlyset 116 will be described, with one notable difference discussed herein.Locking assembly set 116 includes its adjustable hook 75, the forwardend of which is adjustably connected to a hook rod 121, which isrotatably journaled to both (1) one end of a pair of bent dogbonelinkages 122 and (2) one end of a pair of upper links 123. The oppositeends of the upper links 123 are fixed to rotate with an upper lockingrod 126, which is journaled for rotation by a pair of opposing lockassembly support plates 127 and 128, as described herein. This upperlocking rod 126 generally serves no other function than to support thelinks and rods connected thereto. However, upper locking rods 130 and131 of the other two locking assembly sets 115 and 117 on opposite sidesthereof not only support the connected linkages, but they also extendoutwardly therefrom and connect with corresponding links 132 and 133,respectively, which in turn connect with respective bar links 50(FIG. 1) and 49 (FIG. 4) to lock/unlock side lock mechanisms 42 and 41.

At their forward ends, the pair of bent dogbone linkages 122 definealigned holes and are rigidly connected together by a sleeve 136 which,together, form a mounting collar 137 that is disposed between andjournaled to and between one end of main drive links 140 and 141. Theopposing ends of main drive links 140 and 141 are rigidly connect to androtate as a unit with main drive shaft 142, which is supported forrotation by all the lock assembly support plates 127 and 128, 145 and146, and 147 and 148. Outside of and on opposing sides of the centralpair of lock assembly support plates 127 and 128, there are disposedmain drive rods 153 and 154, each rigidly connected via a pair ofconnector links 155 and 156, and 157 and 158, respectively to main driveshaft 142, as shown.

Forward or rearward, generally linear input to main drive rods 153 and154 (via rear and front upstanding push arms 108 and 107) causes maindrive shaft 142 to rotate as a unit therewith and with main drive links140 and 141, which moves bent dogbone links 122, which rotates upperlinks 123 and moves hook 75. The rotation of main drive shaft 142likewise moves hooks 75 of locking assembly sets 115 and 117 and rotatesupper locking rods 130 and 131, which moves link bars 50 and 49 viaintermediate links 132 and 133.

The bend in dogbone link 122 causes collar 137 and its axis of rotationto move over center when push assembly 96 is moved to the lockingposition 99. The resistance to being locked tightly against its seal 32causes door 12 to pull dogbone linkage 122 rearwardly, but because theaxis of sleeve 136 of collar 137 is above a line extending between theaxis of main drive shaft 142 and the axis of rotation at the oppositeend of dogbone linkage 122 (that is, hook rod 121) the rearward pull ondogbone linkage 122 merely urges dogbone linkage 122 to rotate furthercounterclockwise about main drive shaft 142, that is further to thelocked position. The linkages thus resist becoming unlocked without thesignificant input of actuator assembly 33.

A variety of part sizes, angles and manners of assembly and mounting maybe used, but the current configuration is believed to be preferred.

Locking assembly 95 is supported by the three pairs of opposing lockassembly support plates 127 and 128, 145 and 146, and 147 and 148, aswell as the outer lock assembly support plates 162 and 163, as shown inFIG. 8. All the lock assembly support plates 127, 128, 144-148, 162 and163 are identical and are rigidly connected to rear and front bolsters30 and 166, as shown. Referring to just one of the lock assembly supportplates, plate 147 comprises a strong flat plate with two inverted,generally T-shaped notches 169 defined therein. At the base (top) ofeach notch is defined a semi-circular recess 170. Acomplementary-shaped, removable bearing T-plate 172 has defined at itsbase (top) a mirror image semi-circular recess 174 that, with recess 170when T-plate 172 is positioned in a complementary notch 169, forms abearing hole 175 for rotatably supporting a rotating rod such as maindrive shaft 142 or an upper locking rod 126, 130 or 131. Each T-plate isstitch welded to its lock assembly support plate (i.e. 147) whichfixedly connects T-plate and support plate together, but which enablesthe stitch welds to be removed by known methods, if desired, to servicelocking assembly 95. Assembly is also greatly facilitated as lockingassembly 95 can be assembled upside down and the various linkages can belowered into place, and the T-plates then stitch welded in place toprovide a strong, secure and reliable locking assembly 95. The entirelocking assembly 95 collection is then turned over, for example as shownin FIG. 8, and connected to or assembled with the rest of the container,the floor of the container typically being then welded directly thereon.

As assembled, when a container with locking assembly 95 is positionedatop a vehicle having actuator assembly 33, the main drive rods 153 and154 are each thus juxtaposed directly between the front and rearupstanding push arms 107 and 108 of a push assembly 96. Actuation ofactuator assembly 33 causes push assembly 96 to engage drive rods 153and 154 and thus move locking hooks 75 and, if the container 14 is soequipped, side pull pin hooks 47 into and out of their lockingpositions.

Container and vehicle combination 10 is further provided with one ormore auxiliary locks, such as Stinger locks 177 and 178, as is known.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that allchanges and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventionare desired to be protected.

What is claimed is:
 1. A locking system, comprising: a vehicle; acontainer comprising a door, wherein the container is loaded onto thevehicle; an actuator assembly, comprising: a movable carriage; and adriver in driving engagement with the movable carriage; and a lockingassembly mounted to the container, wherein the locking assemblycomprises: a transfer member engaged with the movable carriage; a rotarydrive shaft coupled to the transfer member, wherein the transfer memberis configured to transfer a drive force from the driver of the actuatorassembly to the rotary drive shaft of the locking assembly; a latchconfigured to move between an unlatched position and a latched positionrelative to the door of the container; and a toggle clamp mechanismintermediate the rotary drive shaft and the latch, wherein a rotation ofthe rotary drive shaft is configured to move the toggle clamp mechanismbetween an unclamped position and a clamped position, and wherein amovement of the toggle clamp mechanism between the unclamped positionand the clamped position is configured to move the latch between theunlatched position and the latched position.
 2. The locking system ofclaim 1, wherein the container further comprises a frame and a sealintermediate the frame and the door.
 3. The locking system of claim 1,wherein the toggle clamp mechanism comprises a pivotable linkagecomprises a first pivot end, a second pivot end, and a bend between thefirst pivot end and the second pivot end.
 4. The locking system of claim1, wherein the driver comprises a hydraulic cylinder configured forremote control from inside the vehicle.
 5. The locking system of claim1, wherein the locking assembly further comprises a plurality of latchespositioned around the perimeter of the door, wherein each of the latchesis movable from an unlatched position to a latched position relative tothe door, and wherein the rotation of the rotary drive shaft is operablyconfigured to move each of the latches between the unlatched positionand the latched position.
 6. A locking system for locking a door of acontainer, comprising: an actuator assembly, comprising: a movablecarriage; and a driver in driving engagement with the movable carriage;and a locking assembly mounted to the container, wherein the lockingassembly comprises: a transfer member engaged with the movable carriage;a rotary drive shaft coupled to the transfer member, wherein thetransfer member is configured to transfer a drive force from the driverof the actuator assembly to the rotary drive shaft of the lockingassembly; a latch configured to move between an unlatched position and alatched position relative to the door of the container; and a toggleclamp mechanism intermediate the rotary drive shaft and the latch,wherein a rotation of the rotary drive shaft is configured to move thetoggle clamp mechanism between an unclamped position and a clampedposition, and wherein a movement of the toggle clamp mechanism betweenthe unclamped position and the clamped position is configured to movethe latch between the unlatched position and the latched position. 7.The locking system of claim 6, wherein the toggle clamp mechanismcomprises a pivotable linkage comprises a first pivot end, a secondpivot end, and a bend between the first pivot end and the second pivotend.
 8. The locking system of claim 6, wherein the driver comprises ahydraulic cylinder configured for remote control.
 9. The locking systemof claim 6, wherein the locking assembly further comprises a pluralityof latches positioned around the perimeter of the door, wherein each ofthe latches is movable from an unlatched position to a latched positionrelative to the door, and wherein the rotation of the rotary drive shaftis operably configured to move each of the latches between the unlatchedposition and the latched position.
 10. A locking system for locking adoor of a container when the container is loaded onto a vehicle, whereinthe locking system comprises: an actuator assembly, comprising: frame; amovable carriage, wherein the movable carriage is movable relative tothe frame; and a driver in driving engagement with the movable carriage;and a locking assembly mounted to the container, wherein the lockingassembly comprises: an input member engaged with the movable carriage; arotary drive shaft coupled to the input member, wherein the input memberis configured to transfer a drive force from the driver of the actuatorassembly to the rotary drive shaft of the locking assembly; a latchconfigured to move between an unlatched position and a latched position;and a pivotable linkage intermediate the rotary drive shaft and thelatch, wherein a rotation of the rotary drive shaft is configured topivot the pivotable linkage between an unlocked position and a locked,over-center position, and wherein a pivoting movement of the pivotablelinkage between the unlocked position and the locked, over-centerposition is configured to move the latch between the unlatched positionand the latched position.
 11. The locking system of claim 10, whereinthe movable carriage comprises a first arm and a second arm, and whereinthe input member is positioned between the first arm and the second arm.12. The locking system of claim 11, wherein the first arm comprises aforward engagement surface oriented at a first angle relative to theframe, wherein the second arm comprises a rearward engagement surfaceoriented at a second angle relative to the frame, wherein the inputmember is positioned between the forward engagement surface and therearward engagement surface, and wherein the second angle is differentthan the first angle.
 13. The locking system of claim 10, wherein thedriver comprises a hydraulic cylinder configured for remote control. 14.The locking system of claim 10, wherein the locking assembly furthercomprises a plurality of latches, wherein each of the latches is movablefrom an unlatched position to a latched position, and wherein therotation of the rotary drive shaft is operably configured to move eachof the latches between the unlatched positions and the latchedpositions.
 15. The locking system of claim 10, wherein the pivotablelinkage comprises a first pivot end, a second pivot end, and a bendbetween the first pivot end and the second pivot end.
 16. A lockingsystem for locking a door of a container, wherein the locking systemcomprises: an actuator assembly, comprising: a frame; a carriage,wherein the carriage is movable relative to the frame; and a driver indriving engagement with the movable carriage; and a locking assemblymounted to the container, wherein the locking assembly comprises: aninput member engaged with the carriage; a drive shaft coupled to theinput member, wherein the input member is configured to transfer a driveforce from the driver of the actuator assembly to the drive shaft of thelocking assembly a latch configured to move between an unlatchedposition and a latched position; and a linkage intermediate the driveshaft and the latch, wherein a rotation of the drive shaft is configuredto pivot the linkage between an unlocked position and a locked,over-center position, and wherein a pivoting movement of the linkagebetween the unlocked position and the locked, over-center position isconfigured to move the latch between the unlatched position and thelatched position.
 17. The locking system of claim 16, wherein thecarriage comprises a first arm and a second arm, and wherein the inputmember is positioned between the first arm and the second arm.
 18. Thelocking system of claim 17, wherein the first arm comprises a forwardengagement surface oriented at a first angle relative to the frame,wherein the second arm comprises a rearward engagement surface orientedat a second angle relative to the frame, wherein the input member ispositioned between the forward engagement surface and the rearwardengagement surface, and wherein the second angle is different than thefirst angle.
 19. The locking system of claim 16, wherein the lockingassembly further comprises a plurality of latches, wherein each of thelatches is movable from an unlatched position to a latched position, andwherein the rotation of the drive shaft is operably configured to moveeach of the latches between the unlatched positions and the latchedpositions.
 20. The locking system of claim 16, wherein the linkagecomprises a first pivot end, a second pivot end, and a bend between thefirst pivot end and the second pivot end.